Bromine Chemistry Question

[PoolDoc]

When it gets below 150, tell us.

Don't worry about over-aerating -- but don't do anything extreme either. (Like hooking up a blower or shop vac.)

[FormerBromineUser]

A blower or shop vac???!!!! My neighbors would LOVE that... Hope to share good news with you SOON. Thanks again for everything, Ben.

[FormerBromineUser]

<150! A nice Mother's Day result!
Just in case you want my numbers from last night:
ph 7.3-7.4
FC 1.0
CC 0.2
TA 110
CH 60
Still aerating and adding dichlor nightly.

[PoolDoc]

+ You can stop aerating -- your TA is low enough.
+ You don't need to keep testing for CC unless you want to do so.
+ You should use the 10ml test sample (1 drop = 0.5 ppm). You don't need the additional accuracy, and your reagents will last longer.

After you've used 10 lbs of dichlor, check your CYA level. Before that time, you should see your FC levels not disappearing during the day.

Looking good!

[FormerBromineUser]

3. After waiting 3 days (after a TA reading < 150 ppm), retest both pH and TA, and report results here. Do NOT test either pH or TA during the 3 days you wait.

That's where I am now. Waiting 3 days.... Thanks for all your patience! I want to thank you also, Ben, for encouraging me to determine my own dichlor dosages instead of running to the calculator. It's kind of cool to have a little confidence. I will do the same when I switch to bleach.

I have quite a few other questions for you guys, though. Do you want them one at a time or in a list?

[PoolDoc]

A list is fine.

[FormerBromineUser]

Okay.... I know you guys are very busy. Thanks.

1.) You had me purchase 4 qts. of polyquat. Am I to use that weekly on a maintenance level or just keep it on hand in case I see algae?

2.) You also had me get 12 lbs. of calcium hypochlorite. When do I use that?

3.) I have read and read the forum and I still don't understand about shocking. The pool store method was to shock with 3 lbs. of product every week and also to shock before and after large parties. How frequently do I shock with the "BBB" method? Do I only go to shock levels when I think there's a problem? (e.g. CC gets high, can't hold FC, algae appears, water gets cloudy, etc.)

4.) I have not yet purchased the CuLator packs as I was hoping to find a liquid form of HEDP. The pool store method was to add 6 oz. of metal sequestrate weekly. My backwash water is no longer orange. Should I be using a sequestrate at all?

5.) Do I always add a cup or so of DE after backwashing? If so, will I need to keep an eye on my sand? The pool store had me use a cellulose product occasionally and it would turn my sand into a sticky orange mess.

6.) I would still like to add borates to my pool. We like the feel of the water and I read that it can help the water in other ways too. I found this: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...9-Borates-Help Post #3 and unless you tell me differently, those will be the directions I follow. When do I start that?

Thanks again so much. My new water is coming along great! I appreciate your patience and generosity in giving us all so much of your time. You really are remarkable people.